Improvement in potato-diggers



J, J. NAYLON.

Improvement in Potato Digger.

No. 124,693. Patemedmarchmlsm.

lnvamkevz J "w'T-mcssesz the height of the rear end of the shovel.

UNITED Srnrns JOHN J. NAYLON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN POTATO-FDIGGERS.

Specification formin g part of Letters Patent No. 124,693, dated March 19, 1872; anted'ated February 10,1872.

To whom it may concern.-

Be it.known that 1, JOHN J. NAYLON, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Potato-Diggers; and I do declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon and being a part of this specification, in Which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation,partially in section, of my improved potato-digger. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.

Like letters refer to like parts in each figure.

The nature of this invention relates to an improvement in potato-digging machines; and

consists in the construction and method of adjusting an excavating'scoop and in the general arrangementof its parts, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, A represents an axle, at either end of which rotate the traction-wheels B. G is the main frame of the device, mounted on the axle A. D is a curved metallic shovel or scoop, adjustably suspended from the frame (3 by a pair of bars, D, attached to its rear end; said bars being perforated at intervals for the reception of the rod a, passing transversely through the frame for adjusting The forward end is supported by a pair of bars, E, pivoted to its sides, which bars arein like manner perforated for the reception of the rod 7), which rests on the top of the frame. By means of the bars E the forward end may be given the proper inclination to enter the hill and take it up with its contents, which pass to the rear in the progress of the ma chine and fall on the grating F, pivoted to the scoop. The rear end of the grate is suspended by chains G from the outer end of a forked lever, H, whose forked ends are pivoted to the 'axle. I is a cranked shaft, journaled in the rear part of the frame, and is provided with a pulley, I, rotated by a belt, J, from a pul surface of the ground, behind the machine,

ready to be picked up. M is a rock-shaft, provided with bell-cranks c, from which depend chains d, connecting'them with the lower ends of the bars E. This rock-shaft is also provided with a lever, M. By throwing the same back the operator may raise the scoop from the ground to clear a stone or other obstruction. If desired to sustain the scoop in its elevated position, the lever may be caused to engage with one side of the double-latched post N. O is a similar rock-shaft, provided with bell-cranks e, from which are suspended chains f, connecting them with the rear ends of the grating. It is also provided with a lever, 0, by means of which the rear end of the grate may be lifted up in throwing the lever forward, and there retained by causing the lever to engage with the other latch of the post N said post being conveniently placed in proximity to the drivers seat P.

It will be noticed that the machine is not only capable of adjustment to operate at va rious depths,but that the scoop and grate may be instantly elevated, together or separately, by the levers, in meeting an obstruction.

What I claim as my inventiomand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the scoop D, provided with bars D and E, the frame 0, and the rods 0. b, when the several parts are constructed, arranged, and operated as and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN J. NAYLON. Witnesses:

HARRY S. SPRAGUE, SAMUEL E. JONES. 

